Week 5 DFS fades and players to avoid

Writing a fades article is always a bit tricky. As I note just a few paragraphs down (a paragraph that’s there every single week), you can pretty much always make a case for a player in tournaments.

Yes, players can hit big in “fade” spots, but if you’re thinking of it from a cash-game perspective, you should always play it safe. Below is a list of players who aren’t safe in Week 5 for one reason or another.

Here are a handful of players I’ll be fading in Week 5.

Note: There’s always a case to be made for playing any player in tournaments. This list of “fades” is cash game focused, but most of these players can be avoided in tournaments as well. I’ll make note of players I think could be viable contrarian tournament picks, though.

Quarterbacks

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Given that this game is in Pittsburgh I definitely think Big Ben is a viable GPP quarterback. But the Jaguars have been legit against the pass this year. The Jags have given up just 667 passing yards so far this year — 166 per game (!). Roethlisberger is easily their best test of the year, but it’s not something I want to play with for cash games.

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

New England’s awful pass defense breathed life into Newton last week, but he’ll likely stumble again in Week 5 against the Detroit Lions, who have yet to allow a 300-yard passer while giving up the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.